The Road to UNOC: Indian Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Forrest Research Foundation, Minderoo Foundation and the French Embassy, convened leaders, experts and decision makers from across the Indian Ocean to tackle urgent ocean-related challenges. The event, emceed by Forrest Research Foundation Director Prof. James Arvanitakis, focused on sustainable fisheries management, marine ecosystem restoration, advancing ocean-based economies and combatting climate impacts on oceans.
The sessions underscored the importance of building a resilient ocean future and included an in-conversation discussion featuring Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Tracy Vo. In parallel panels, further insights were shared by Mr Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships while His Excellency, Mr Sanjiv Ranjan, Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Secretariat in Mauritius, provided a comprehensive overview of the Indian Ocean priorities.
Forrest alumnus Dr Philipp Bayer and Forrest Fellow Dr Samuel Starko presented their innovative work, while Forrest PhD Scholars Marie Windstein and Rachel Newsome, along with Dr Kate Quigley from Minderoo Foundation, attended a consultative meeting with Minister Mohamed-Soilihi.
The function highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration and a shared responsibility to coordinated action across the Indian Ocean.
(Left to right) Prof. James Arvanitakis, His Excellency Mr Thani Mohamed-Soilihi
